Bifactor and Item Response Theory Analyses of Health Care Workers’ Attitudes Toward HIV-Infected People

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-163
Author(s):  
Gabriele Prati ◽  
Luca Pietrantoni
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Item Response Theory ◽  
Item Response ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Bifactor Model ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Item Response Model ◽  
Response Theory ◽  
Care Workers

Abstract. Health care workers’ attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) can play an important role in the quality of life of PLWHA as well as in public health efforts in HIV prevention and treatment. The main aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of an instrument to measure health care workers’ attitudes toward PLWHA using bifactor and IRT analyses. We applied bifactor and Item Response Theory (IRT) analyses to questionnaire development, evaluation, and refinement. A sample of 836 Italian health care workers was recruited in 2013, including medical practitioners, nurses, health care assistants, social workers, and psychologists. We tested a hierarchical item response model (bifactor model) with model fit comparisons with one-dimensional and five-dimensional models. The bifactor model was found to provide the best fit to the observed data. The results were used to construct a 15-item short form. The test information function showed that the scale was slightly more precise at higher levels of negative attitudes. Finally, the differential item functioning (DIF) analysis revealed that the items did not function differently across gender or professional groups. The instrument was found to have good criterion validity with regard to discriminatory practices toward HIV-infected patients.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Mate Retention Inventory-Short Form Using Item Response Theory

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 147470492110441
Author(s):  
Patrick J. Nebl ◽  
Mark G. McCoy ◽  
Garett C. Foster ◽  
Michael J. Zickar
Keyword(s):  
Item Response Theory ◽  
Evolutionary Psychology ◽  
Item Response ◽  
Function Analysis ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Response Theory ◽  
Female Behavior ◽  
Mate Retention ◽  
Good Scale ◽  
The Individual

The mate retention inventory (MRI) has been a valuable tool in the field of evolutionary psychology for the past 30 years. The goal of the current research is to subject the MRI to rigorous psychometric analysis using item response theory to answer three broad questions. Do the individual items of the MRI fit the scale well? Does the overall function of the MRI match what is predicted? Finally, do men and women respond similarly to the MRI? Using a graded response model, it was found that all but two of the items fit acceptable model patterns. Test information function analysis found that the scale acceptably captures individual differences for participants with a high degree of mate retention but the scale is lacking in capturing information from participants with a low degree of mate retention. Finally, discriminate item function analysis reveals that the MRI is better at assessing male than female participants, indicating that the scale may not be the best indicator of female behavior in a relationship. Overall, we conclude that the MRI is a good scale, especially for assessing male behavior, but it could be improved for assessing female behavior and individuals lower on overall mate retention behavior. It is suggested that this paper be used as a framework for how the newest psychometrics techniques can be applied in order to create more robust and valid measures in the field of evolutionary psychology.

Using the Short Form of the MSBS to Assess State Boredom Among Adolescents: Psychometric Evidence by Applying Item Response Theory

Assessment ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 107319111986465
Author(s):  
Maria Anna Donati ◽  
Elisa Borace ◽  
Edoardo Franchi ◽  
Caterina Primi
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Item Response Theory ◽  
Item Response ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Response Theory ◽  
School Students ◽  
Gender Invariance ◽  
Item Functioning ◽  
State Boredom ◽  
Psychometric Evidence

The Multidimensional State Boredom Scale (MSBS) is widely used, but evidence regarding its psychometric properties among adolescents is lacking. In particular, the functioning of the scale across genders is unknown. As a result, we used item response theory (IRT) to investigate gender invariance of the Short Form of the MSBS (MSBS-SF) among adolescents. Four hundred and sixty-six Italian high school students (51% male; M = 16.7, SD = 1.44) were recruited. A confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated the unidimensionality of the scale, and IRT analyses indicated that the scale was sufficiently informative. Differential item functioning (DIF) across genders showed that only one item had DIF that was both nonuniform and small in size. Additionally, relationships with negative/positive urgency and present/future-oriented time perspectives were found. Overall, this study offers evidence that the MSBS-SF is a valuable and useful scale for measuring state boredom among male and female adolescents.

scholarly journals Social-emotional problems among Swedish three-year-olds: an Item Response Theory analysis of the Ages and Stages Questionnaires: Social-Emotional

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Masoud Vaezghasemi ◽  
Eva Eurenius ◽  
Anneli Ivarsson ◽  
Linda Richter Sundberg ◽  
Sven-Arne Silfverdal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Item Response Theory ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Item Response ◽  
Emotional Problems ◽  
Child Health Care ◽  
Response Theory ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Ages And Stages Questionnaires ◽  
High Level

Abstract Background There is enough evidence to believe that young children’s social-emotional problems can have a long-term effect if extra support is not given early. Therefore, early identification of such problems and any differences between boys and girls are of importance. We utilized the 36-month interval of the Ages and Stages Questionnaires: Social-Emotional (ASQ:SE) among 3-year-olds aiming: 1) to report the normative values of social-emotional problems for Swedish boys and girls; 2) to identify ASQ:SE items that are most commonly endorsed by children with high level of social-emotional problems (high score on ASQ:SE); 3) to assess whether certain ASQ:SE items differ between boys and girls at the same level of social-emotional problems; and 4) to examine whether ASQ:SE performs well in identifying children with high level of social-emotional problems (high score on ASQ:SE). Method During 2014–2017, data were collected from 7179 three-year-old children (boys = 3719, girls = 3460) through Child Health Care in the Region Västerbotten in the northern part of Sweden. Unidimensionality was assessed by Confirmatory Factor Analysis and goodness-of-fit was reported. Item Response Theory was used to answer the aims of the study. Results Items regarding interest in sexual words, too little sleep, disinterest in things around, unhappiness and self-injury were more commonly endorsed by children with high levels of social-emotional problems, as reported by their parents. For the same level of social-emotional problem, girls were more likely to demonstrate difficulties in occupying themselves, clinging behaviour and repetitive behaviour. On the other hand, boys were more likely to score high in items regarding destruction of things on purpose, difficulty to name friends and to express feelings. We have also found that the ASQ:SE is suitable for identifying children with high level of social-emotional problems. Conclusion The salient point of our study was to increase knowledge about Swedish children’s social-emotional problems at 3-years of age based on the psychometric characteristics of the ASQ:SE using Item Response Theory model. The gender differences as well as those items that occurred at high levels of social-emotional problems should be of concern for everyday practice in Child Health Care.

Development of the Nonattachment Scale-Short Form (NAS-SF) Using Item Response Theory

Mindfulness ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1299-1308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Floria H. N. Chio ◽  
Mark H. C. Lai ◽  
Winnie W. S. Mak
Keyword(s):  
Item Response Theory ◽  
Item Response ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Response Theory

scholarly journals Developing a Short Form of Benton's Judgment of Line Orientation Test: An Item Response Theory Approach

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 670-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Calamia ◽  
Kristian Markon ◽  
Natalie L. Denburg ◽  
Daniel Tranel
Keyword(s):  
Item Response Theory ◽  
Item Response ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Line Orientation ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Response Theory ◽  
Orientation Test

Geriatric Anxiety Scale: item response theory analysis, differential item functioning, and creation of a ten-item short form (GAS-10)

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 1099-1111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne E. Mueller ◽  
Daniel L. Segal ◽  
Brandon Gavett ◽  
Meghan A. Marty ◽  
Brian Yochim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Item Response Theory ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Differential Item Functioning ◽  
Item Response ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Anxiety Scale ◽  
Response Theory ◽  
Item Functioning ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTBackground:The Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS; Segal et al. (Segal, D. L., June, A., Payne, M., Coolidge, F. L. and Yochim, B. (2010). Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 24, 709–714. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2010.05.002) is a self-report measure of anxiety that was designed to address unique issues associated with anxiety assessment in older adults. This study is the first to use item response theory (IRT) to examine the psychometric properties of a measure of anxiety in older adults.Method:A large sample of older adults (n = 581; mean age = 72.32 years, SD = 7.64 years, range = 60 to 96 years; 64% women; 88% European American) completed the GAS. IRT properties were examined. The presence of differential item functioning (DIF) or measurement bias by age and sex was assessed, and a ten-item short form of the GAS (called the GAS-10) was created.Results:All GAS items had discrimination parameters of 1.07 or greater. Items from the somatic subscale tended to have lower discrimination parameters than items on the cognitive or affective subscales. Two items were flagged for DIF, but the impact of the DIF was negligible. Women scored significantly higher than men on the GAS and its subscales. Participants in the young-old group (60 to 79 years old) scored significantly higher on the cognitive subscale than participants in the old-old group (80 years old and older).Conclusions:Results from the IRT analyses indicated that the GAS and GAS-10 have strong psychometric properties among older adults. We conclude by discussing implications and future research directions.

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